Udupi, (The Hindu): Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said on Wednesday that it was essential to create more awareness among people about protecting the environment.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Centre set up by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board at the Board High School premises, here.

Mr. Madhwaraj said it is essential for people to live in harmony with nature. Reckless destruction of nature invites natural calamities. The country should follow Bhutan with regard to protection of environment, he said.

Lakshman, chairman, KSPCB, said the Central Pollution Control Board has directed State governments to set up Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Centres in all district headquarters. Accordingly, the State government has decided to set up 29 centres in the State. Karnataka is one of the States with the highest numbers of such centres.

The KSPCB wants Udupi to become an environment-friendly district. There were some big industries in the district. The personnel of the KSPCB were regularly visiting these places and checking if all environmental protection measures have been followed. While development and industrialization were necessary for any district, measures should be taken to see that it was not at the cost of environment, Mr. Lakshman said.

H. Lakshmikanth, Environment Officer, KSPCB, welcomed the gathering. Rajashekhar Puranik,KSPCB officer, delivered the introductory remarks. Jayaprakash Nayak, K. Nagappa, scientific officers, KSPCB, were present.